onislam.net/Oklahoma Beheading Alarms Muslims

SHAFAQNA (International Shia News Association)-Reports claiming that the man accused of beheading a female coworker has recently reverted to Islam has alarmed Oklahoma Muslims who were quick to denounce the horrible crime as against Islam.

“If he believed in his sick and twisted mind that the faith was a motivator, then he’s absolutely wrong,” Adam Soltani, the executive director of Oklahoma’s Council on American Islamic Relations or CAIR, told News 9 on Saturday, September 27.

“Anyone can interpret things as they will, but our faith is clear and Islam stands clearly opposed to violence in any kind and in no way could or faith ever support the actions of this man.”

CAIR said it condemns Alton Nolen in the strongest terms and that their faith does not support his alleged actions.

Alton Nolen, 30, is accused of beheading a coworker at a food distribution plant with a knife and stabbed another before being shot.

Nelon, 30, was hospitalized after the incident on Thursday, when he allegedly went on the rampage after being fired from Vaughan Foods in Oklahoma City.

Soltani said his organization views Nolen as an extremist and pointed out that he has a criminal past that demonstrates violence.

“It’s tragic that somebody who claims to be Muslim would commit such an inhumane and barbaric action, but the actions of one person do not represent the whole and definitely the actions of this man do not represent the faith teachings of Islam at all,” Soltani said.

The CAIR leader added that the actions of one person should not reflect the 40,000 Muslims who live peacefully in Oklahoma.

“Definitely, there is no way the faith itself could have been a motivator for this man’s actions,” Soltani explained.

Though there are no official estimates, the US is home to an estimated Muslim minority of six to eight million.

An earlier Gallup poll found that the majority of Americans Muslims are loyal to their country and optimistic about their future in the United States.

Another US survey has revealed that the majority of Americans know very little about Muslims and their faith.

A recent Gallup poll has found 43 percent of Americans Nationwide admitted to feeling at least “a little” prejudice against Muslims.